Girls basketball: Oregon City impressive in rolling to tournament title in Hawaii

Oregon City senior point guard Montana Walters had 11 points and six assists in the win over Dr. Phillips. (Doug Beghtel/The Oregonian)

Oregon City made an early-season statement Saturday by beating one of the nation’s most highly-regarded teams in the final of the Iolani Classic girls basketball tournament in Hawaii.

The Pioneers got 11 points and six assists from senior point guard Montana Walters in a 49-44 win over Dr. Phillips, an Orlando, Fla., power that is ranked No. 11 in the country by USA Today.

Oregon City (5-0) led 20-8 after one quarter and 33-19 at half in the championship game of the eight-team tournament, using its pressure defense to rattle previously unbeaten Dr. Phillips (10-1).

“They had at least three Division I kids, maybe more,” Pioneers coach Kurt Guelsdorf said. “They tried to slow it down on us. They were afraid of pressure. They ran back into a 2-3 zone and just packed it in. It was interesting to see from a highly-ranked team because they’re usually pretty aggressive. We were in control, for the most part, the entire game.”

In the semifinals, Oregon City won 66-44 over Southlake Carroll, the Class 6A runner-up in Texas last season. Senior posts Catelyn Preston and Johanna Paine had 16 and 12 points, respectively.

The senior-dominated Pioneers, who finished third in the Iolani Classic in their two previous appearances (2008, 2011), are playing with a purpose after a heartbreaking quarterfinal loss to West Linn in the Class 6A tournament last season. They are co-No. 3 in the Class 6A coaches poll with Central Catholic.

“After the success we had last summer, we knew we could be pretty good,” Guelsdorf said. “Our seniors have been pretty focused. This group has a mission to keep getting better and play well in March so we don’t have a letdown.”